Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland
Trustees Report and Financial Statements
Year ended 31st December 2025
Congregation No: 080448
Charity No: SC015925
Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1-6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Statement offinancial activities | 8 |
| Balance sheet | 9 |
| Notestothefinancialstatements | 10-15 |
Maxwelltown_West_and New Abbey Church of Scotland
Trustees’_Report for the year ended 31% December 2025
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31*t December 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 to the accounts and comply with the General Assembly Regulations for Congregational Finance, the Charities and Trustee Investment{Scotland} Act 2005, the Charities Accounts {Scotland} Regulations 2006{as amended} and Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland.
Objectives and Activities
The Church of Scotland is trinitarian in doctrine, reformed in tradition and presbyterian in polity. It exists to glorify God and to work for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom throughout the world. As a national church, it acknowledgesa distinctive call and duty to bring the ordinances of religion to the people in every parish of Scotland througha territorial ministry. It co-operates with other churches in various ecumenical bodies in Scotland and beyond.
The congregations of Maxwelltown West Church, Dumfries and Lochend and New Abbey Church were united on 1* January 2025 to form the United Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland. The Minister of Maxwelltown West Church became the Minister of the united church. Maxwelltown West’s manse became the manse for the united church. Previous Elders of Maxwelltown West and Lochend and New Abbey Churches became members of the united Kirk Session. Maxwelltown West’s Deacons Court, consisting of 23 Deacons was dissolved on 31% December 2024. No Deacons were appointed as Elders of the united Kirk Session.
Services of worship are held every Sunday in New Abbey Church at 9:30 a.m. and at Maxwelltown West Church at 11:00 a.m. Although the congregations are united, each church retails its individual character as one serves a rural parish, the other is a “Town Church”, serving a more urban community, though not exclusively.
New Abbey Church
New Abbey Guild members continue to meet monthly [September to March] as a separate Guild in the Church Hall at New Abbey — usually with two open meetings in the Village Hall. Invitations to Maxwelltown West Guild members are extended. For New Abbey Guild this has been another year of losses — one very longserving member and two who have moved away. The monthly meetings have covered a wide variety of topics, from “Local Toll Booths” to “Homelessness”. This is our first year as a United church and in a show of solidarity our new Minister held a joint re-dedication service for both Guilds in September
Many members and Office-Bearers from New Abbey are involved in local community groups and committces, such as the Community Council, Village Hall Committee and the 65 Club.
There is a church “Newsletter” produced quarterly. This gives information about forthcoming events as well as reports from the Kirk Session, Treasurer, Presbytery, National Church, Christian Aid, New Abbey School and other organisations. It is delivered to both communities in the parish by hand. Other members and interested parties outwith the parish receive the “Newsletter” by post or email.
The Worship Group members are involved in worship on a regular basis, taking part in services and preparing material for future worship. Some members of the congregation form a rota to read the scripture lessons each Sunday. The Stewardship and Outreach Group no longer has a Convener and has been unable to recruit anyone to fill this post. As we do not have any children or young people regularly attending church on Sundays we continue to invite children to “Activity Sessions” throughout the year, Easter being one such occasion: a craft session decorating eggs, the Easter story and an Easter Egg Hunt around the church and grounds. Hazel Hubbert is the Children’s Activities Convener.
Our Minister visits New Abbey School regularly and he is invited to lead assemblies and attend school events. The school holds its end-of-term service in the church, to which the local community are invited.
Worship
Worship is held every Sunday in New Abbey Church at 9:30 a.m. with the occasional service in Beeswing Village Hall to keep the connection with Lochend. The members of the new united church have come together twice during the year for a joint service followed by lunch. Services for Easter, Harvest Thanksgiving, Remembrance Sunday and Christmas Eve were held as normal, with Holy Communion being celebrated twice during the ycar. A Maundy Thursday meal] and Communion was held in New Abbey Church with members of Maxwelltown West present.
Fundraising
The congregation has a representative on the local Christian Aid committee and has participated in fundraising events throughout the year. Donations of dry goods are collected regularly throughout the year for the Dumfries First Base Food Bank, which is where the donations collected at the Harvest Thanksgiving were sent. The retiring offering was donated to Moffat Mountain Rescue who have been active in our parish this year.
Meetings and Communication
There was an increase in the number of meetings of the united church’s Kirk Session to help with the integration of the two congregations. The meetings are held in alternate venues. The New Abbey quarterly “Newsletter” was distributed by hand, post and email and was also posted on the New Abbey Facebook page. A new website for the united church was developed during the year and this went “live” in November. Church events will be flagged up here. www.maxwestnewabbey.org.uk
World Mission
The congregation is linked to our Mission Partner , Gary Brough and his family, in Malawi, from whom we receive regular updates.
Maxwelltown West Church
Sunday worship takes place at 11:00 a.m. There are four main celebrations of Communion during the year — in March, June, September and December, with a less formal [ona -style Communion held at the end of the year. Prior to each quarterly Communion, District Elders visit all members of our church and deliver the current issue of “Contact”, our church Magazine, which contains details of church contacts, articles of interest, church events and dates for members’ diaries. During the year the District lists were reassessed because of the fewer number of District Elders that we can call on.
The St, Andrew’s Day service on Sunday 30 November 2025 saw6 of our Elders receive unique Elder Emeritus Citations. An Elder Emeritus is a ruling Elder who has retired from active, voting and administrative duties, but retains the title of Elder and has honorary status due to their long and faithful service to the church. Elders receiving such Citations were Bob Sproat, Gordon Little, John Love, Douglas McLaren, David Wood and John Alexander. The following Long Service Certificates were presented :
Drew Crossan 40 years, Gordon Little 40 years and Bob Sproat 30 years. Our long- serving Session Clerk Tom Bryden was presented with a Long Service Certificate marking 50 years, and also a Maxwelltown West Church crystal paperweight to mark his 34 years as Session Clerk.
Members of the congregation and adherents are involved in the conduct of worship through the reading of scripture or offering prayers. Our Worship Team takes the service when required and our Praise Group regularly takes part in the services.
Our minister Rev. Johannes Wildner leads a monthly service at our local care home, Lochduhar, which is followed by community singing.
Church services are broadcast “on line” each Sunday, through our website. These services are then available on “catch-up” on YouTube. They regularly have between 70 and 100 views each week.
During Holy Week our church held the Good Friday service as part of the programme organized by Dumfries Christian Network, an ecumenical group that brings together many different Churches in the area.
Our church supports and encourages a number of active organisations throughout the year: Brownies and Guides, The Guild and the Badminton Club. These groups are largely self-supporting and contribute financially to the work of the church. In addition to these groups, several community groups make use of our church’s
buildings on a regular basis : The Loreburne Retirement Group, Dumfries Choral Society, The Balliol Singers and the R.S.C.D.S, Commitiee.
Achievements and Performance:
The Statistical Return for 2025 required by the Church of Scotland that Catherine and I have recently completed gave us a sharp reminder of our ageing congregations and could be interpreted as a church in decline. Statistics tell us baldly how many people attend our church, are baptized, confirmed and marry each year and how old we are getting, but they don’t measure how we as a congregation of faith are adapting to cultural change, underwritten by hope and love.
On Sunday November 24" 2024, a Congregational Vote was held simultaneously at Maxwelltown West Church and Lochend and New Abbey Church at which the Basis of Union was approved and Rev. Johannes Wildner was confirmed as the Minister of the United charge of Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland as from 1% January 2025. We have yet to have a Service of Union which is intimated by the Presbytery of the South West.
Our Faithshare Partnership with Mathia Church in Kenya is as strong as ever, with the Bursary Scheme set up nearly 20 years ago now having assisted over 70 students and young people with their studies. We receive regular news , photographs and videos of their successes. We receive regular updates from our Mission Partner Gary Brough and his family in Malawi.
We continue to support the Trussell Trust Foodbank throughout the year and again our Harvest Thanksgiving donations were delivered to them. Other appeals this year benefitted our Faithshare Partner Mathia Church, Christian Aid and St. John Scotland.
Rev. Johannes has held a number of Faith Courses at Maxwelltown West and at New Abbey during the year: January’s course at Maxwelltown West focused on “Faith, Doubt and Doctrine”, followed by a Lent Study Group at New Abbey. A pre- Christmas “Faith Course” was an audiovisual encounter with the key figures of Advent — Jesus, John the Baptist and Mary, mother of Jesus.
Our Social Group have provided a special “Brunch” at both Easter and Christmas, and Maxwelltown West members were responsible for one of the Christain Aid Lenten Lunches held at St John’s Church Dumfries. Our church is a member of Dumfries Christian Network, an ecumenical gathering of many different churches’ representatives..
The Guild is a very active part of our church calendar, with regular meetings to which New Abbey Guild members are invited. Guild events include an interesting range of speakers and social gatherings. Ian Wilson’s talk on “Antarctica” coincided with Storm Bram!
Max. West Movies again proved to be a popular monthly Friday night fixture for its Spring and Autumn seasons, showing a wide variety of film genres from around the world, some new and some “classics”: “Conclave” and “Genevieve” for example.
This has been a very busy year in the life of our newly united church as we negotiate new ways of working together. We have benefited greatly from the enthusiasm and commitment of our minister Rev. Johannes, who did say in his letter of application that “Phe Church of Scotland is changing and | want to be part of it”. Change there certainly has been in this past year and we move forward with faith and hope into next year’s challenges for our united church.
Financial Review
There was a surplus for the year of £205,400 compared to a surplus of £2,216 in 2024. The total funds carried forward are £843,759 made up of £559,284 unrestricted, £261,991 restricted and £22,484 endowment funds.
This year has seen a large one off surplus created due to the transfer of assets from New Abbey Church, this has been shown on page 12, note 2 as income under Donations and Legacies.
The principal sources of church income are the members’ regular offerings and the Gifl Aid tax reclaims which are recorded in the Congregational account. In 2025 giving’s totalled £64,830 (2024: £52,899),
During the year the Congregation met, in full, its net Ministries and Mission Allocation (now called “Giving to Grow”) of £69,250.
Investment Policy and Performance
Our holdings, held with the Church of Scotland Trust, are split between Growth Fund that is part of the Fabric Appeal Fund and an endowment fund. Both funds currently have a market value greater than their cost. The church, due to a one-off legacy, was also able to invest additional monies in to investments which are managed by Fidelity Investments and the hope is these will provide additional sources of income in future years.
Risk Management
As with many congregations, a number of members have died or transferred their lines. This does have a negative impact on the finances of the church through a drop of regular giving of the congregation. The average age of the congregation is increasing and some elders have become inactive. This becomes more acute as the number of young people attending church services or being involved in the life of the church has reduced. This is mainly due to them leaving Dumfries for full-time education or employment.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Church is administered in accordance with the terms of the Deed of Constitutionfor Deed of Constitution{Unitary Form}] Members of the Kirk Session are charity trustees. The Kirk Session members are Elders of the church and are chosen from those members of the church who are considered to have the appropriate gifts and skills. The Minister, who is the Convener ofthe Kirk Session, is elected by the congregation and is inducted by the Presbytery of the South West. The Kirk Session meets six times per year or as required. It is responsible, along with the Minister, for the spiritual, financial and fabric/property affairs within the church. Care of the church buildings is delegated to the Fabric/Property Committee, after consultation with the Treasury Team who are responsible for the church’s finances.
Reserves Policy
It is the Trustees policy to hold reserves. At the year end the Church held two reserve funds with the Church of Scotland Investors Trust.
The larger investment is held in the name of the Fabric Fund Appeal which is currently divided between the Deposit Funds of £65,283 and 7,653 units in the Growth Fund with a current value of £52,652.64 (a total of £117,935).
The Fabric Fund Appeal was initiated in 1992 with the aim of raising the sum of £100,000 over the period of 10 years, to endow the Fabric fund with an annual sum through interest/growth. This has been used in recent times to meet costly repairs and refurbishments (e.g., re-roofing at the manse). The capital was to have been replaced if and when circumstances allow.
A smaller investment of £16,364 is held in the Reserve Fund and is invested entirely in the Deposit Fund (£15,669 in 2024), This is an unrestricted fund to be drawn on in an emergency or to boost the Congregational account at periods of reduced income.
The Church have also invested £100,000 in to a Fidelity Investment fund which is managed by McCrae Financial Services. This has been invested in the hope of gaining a return which can be used to cover ongoing expenses in the future. The investment value as at 31‘ December was £123,789.
The reserve policy is that, when surplus funds exist in the Congregational account, the Church Treasurer may top up either of these funds, at his/her discretion, to obtain a higher rate of interest.
The Church also held £261,991 restricted funds which have been provided for the purposes specified in Note 13.
Reference and Administrative Details
Trustees
Elders: John Alexander, Tom Bryden, Val Coltart, Drew Crossan, Anne Dunbar, Patricia Jardine, David Johnson, Heather Johnson, Gordon Little John Love, Alison MacDonald, Douglas McLaren, Mary McLeod, Fiona Saddington, Robert Sproat, Anita Stott, Ron Thomas, Anne Walter, David Wood and Joan Wood.
Ian Anderson — resigned Nov. 2025, Janice Anderson — resigned Nov. 2025 John Henry — resigned Nov. 2025, Hamish MacDonald, David Kingan, Mary Sommerville, Margaret Shuttleworth, Mary Halliday, Catherine Lye, Hazel Hubbert, and Glennys Ardin.
Principal Office- Bearers
Minister : Reverend Johannes Wildner- inducted 21% October 2021 Session Clerk [Joint] : David Johnson and Catherine Lye Treasury Team: Jill McEwan, Patricia Jardine, Heather Johnson and Val Coltart. Charity Number : $C015925 Contact address : Treasurer, Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland 10 Rosemount Street, Dumfries
DG2 7AJ
Website : maxwestnewabbey.org.uk Independent Examiner: Paul Dickson Rennie Accountants Limited 5 Buccleuch Street Dumfries DG1 2AT Bankers: Bank of Scotland, 91 High Street Dumfries DG1 2BN
Trustees’ Responsibilities in Relation to the Financial Statements
The Charity uustees are responsible for preparing trustees’ Annual Reports and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in Scotland requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial ycar which give a truc and fair view of the state of affairs of the church and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the church for that period. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required
to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently: - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP2015; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and explaincd in the financial statements; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the church will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the church and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 {as amended}. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the church and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. This report was approved by trustecs on 25 ' 3 ‘26 and signed on their behalf by:
==> picture [156 x 38] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
David Johnson, Joint Session Clerk
i ) Oudc (Wns
————e
----- End of picture text -----
==> picture [132 x 26] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
CatherinLye, Juint Session Clerk
ro
----- End of picture text -----
==> picture [215 x 30] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland
Independent Examiner’s Report
for the year ended 31“ December, 2025
----- End of picture text -----
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31" December, 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 16.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10 (1) (a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under the section 44 (1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Account (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
a. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44 (1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations;
have not been met; or
b. to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
==> picture [162 x 23] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Signed: Y, Y ~
----- End of picture text -----
==> picture [154 x 23] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Date: Ic” IIb
----- End of picture text -----
Paul J Dickson Rennie Accountants Limited 5 Buccleuch Street Dumfries DG1 2AT
Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland
Statement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31 December 2025
| Notes | Unrestricted General Fund __ RestrictedFund £ £ |
Unrestricted General Fund __ RestrictedFund £ £ |
Endowment Fund £ |
TotalFunds2025 £ |
Total Funds 2024 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income and endowments from: | ||||||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 300,732 | 5,357 | - | 306,089 | 83,558 |
| Charitable Activities | 3 | 770 | 835 | - | 1,605 | 980 |
| OtherTrading Activities | 4 | 734 | - | - | 734 | 1,158 |
| Investments | 5 | 9,255 | - | 851 | 10,106 | 6,897 |
| Total Income | 311,491 | 6,192 | 851 | 318,534 | 92,593 | |
| Expenditure on: | ||||||
| RaisingFunds | 6 | 87 | - | - | 87 | 87 |
| Charitable Activities | 6 | 123,239 | 13,829 | - | 137,068 | 103,584 |
| Total Expenditure | 123,326 | 13,829 | - | 137,155 | 103,671 | |
| Net Income/(expenditure) | 188,165 | (7,637) | 851 | 181,379 | (11,078) | |
| Net gains/(losses) on investments | 23,454 | 567 | 24,021 | 13,294 | ||
| Tranfers between funds | (5,160) | 2,267 | 2,893 | - | - | |
| NetMovement in funds | 206,459 | (5,370) | 4,311 | 205,400 | 2,216 | |
| Reconciliation offunds: | ||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 352,825 | 267,361 | 18,173 | 638,359 | 636,143 | |
| Totalfundscarriedforward | 559,284 | 261,991 | 22,484 | 843,759 | 638,359 |
The notes on pages 9 to 14 form an integral part of these financial statements
Page 8
Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church ofScotland
==> picture [425 x 409] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Balance Sheet|
|as at|34|December 2025|
|Notes|Unrestricted|Restneted|Endowment|Total 2025|Total 2024|
|£|£|£|£|£|
|Fixed|assets|
|Tangible assets|&|860|254.600|-|252,460|260,844|
|Q|— 380,798|-|19.568|460,366|192,987|
|Investments|
|381,658|251,600|19,568|652,826|453,831|
|DebtorsCurrentCash at bank andassets|in hand|119)|$79,035.|30,391-|2.916-|192,3422|186,3867|
|179.035|10,391|2,916|192,342|186,386|
|Creditors;|amounts|falling duc|it|(1,409)|-|-|(1,409)|(1,858)|
|within|one|year|
|Net current assets|eee177,626|10,393|2.916|190,933|184,528|
|§$0,284|261,991|22,484|843,759|638,359|
|‘TheEndowmentfunds of funds the charity|3|-|-|22,484|22,484|$8,173|
|Restricted funds|3|-|261,991|-|261,991|267,361|
|Unrestricted funds general fund|13|559,284|-|-|559,284|352,835|
|‘Sotal charity funds|559,284|261,993|22,484|$43,759|638,359|
|The accounts were approved by the|trustees on ZS|J 3 2h| 2026|and signed on theit behalf|by’|
|=|YADA||? Soy~|David Johnson|—|Joint Session Clerk|
|t|
|4|: es|Catherineatherine|||Lye|Jointint|SessionSession|ClerkCler|
|N—LA.o|ms|EVAN|_|Jit} MeFEwan|on behalf|of|the Treasury|Team|
|The|notes on pages9 to 14 form an integral part of|these financial statements|
----- End of picture text -----
==> picture [20 x 8] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Page 9
----- End of picture text -----
Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31°' December 2025
] Accounting Policies The principle accounting policies, which have been applied consistently in the current and preceding year in dealing with items which we considered material to the accounts, are set out below.
11 Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
The Church constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Church’s ability to continue as a going concern.
1.2 Fund accounting Restricted funds are funds subject to restrictions as to their use which may be declared by the donor or with their authority or created through legal processes, but still within the wider object of charity.
Endowment funds are funds which have been given on the condition that the original capital sum is not reduced, but the income therefrom is used for the purpose defined in accordance with the objects of the charity.
Unrestricted funds are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. If parts of the unrestricted funds are earmarked at the discretion of trustees for a particular purpose, they are designated as a sperate fund. This designation has an administrative purpose only and does not legally restrict the trustees’ discretion to apply the fund.
1.3 Income recognition All income is included in the SOFA when the charity is legally entitled to the income, probability of receipt and the amount can be measure with sufficient reliability. For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received.
Donated services and facilities
Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognized as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) the general volunteer time of congregation members is not recognized.
On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognized on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognized as expenditure in the period receipt.
Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
Page 10
- 1.4 Expenditure recognition All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation The charity has the right to occupy and use for its charitable objects certain tangible fixed assets, including the Church, halls and manse, vested in the Congregation of Maxwelltown West Church Dumfries. No consideration is payable for the use of these assets. Expenditure incurred on the repair and maintenance of these assets is charged as resources expended in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which the liability arises. As it is difficult to put a realistic value on both the church and hall these buildings are excluded from the tangible fixed assets.
An estimated value of the Church Manse, based on current market conditions at the time, of£400,000.00 had been incorporated and was capitalised within tangible fixed assets for the first time during 2010. All tangible fixed assets costing in excess of £1,000 having a value to the charity greater than one year, other than those acquired for specific purposes, are capitalised. Depreciation is provided ona straight-line basis to write off the cost or initial value, less residual value, of tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives:
Buildings -50 years Office Equipment -5 years
- 1.6 Investments
Fixed asset investments are stated at market value at the balance sheet date. Unrealised gains and losses represent the difference between market value at the beginning and end of the financial year or, if purchased in the year, the difference between cost and market value at the end ofthe year. Realised gains and losses represent the difference between the proceeds on disposal and the market value at the start of the year or cost if purchased in the year.
- 1.7 Taxation
Maxwelltown West Church is recognised as a charity for the purposes of applicable taxation legislation and is therefore not subject to taxation on its charitable activities. The charity is not registered for VAT and resources expended therefore include irrecoverable input VAT.
==> picture [33 x 10] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Page 11
----- End of picture text -----
2 Income from donations & legacies
Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements for year ended 31st December 2025
| Income from donations & legacies | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | Total 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Offerings | 64,586 | 244 | 64,830 | 52,899 | |
| Legacies | 3,804 | 3,804 | 10,600 | ||
| Tax recovered on Gift Aid | 1,166 | 1,166 | 12,334 | ||
| Club subscription&membership | 798 | 798 | 702 | ||
| Donations | 726 | 4,265 | 4,991 | 5,388 | |
| TransferofUnion balance | 217,062 | 217,062 | - | ||
| Other | 13,388 | 50 | 13,438 | 1,635 | |
| 300,732 | 5,357 | - | 306,089 | 83,558 |
Of the income from donations & legacies in 2024, £77,703 was unrestricted and £5,855 was restricted. Other income for 2025 includes money received of £11,863 from the revenue account held by the general trustees which is noted in an appendix to these accounts.
- 3 Income from charitable activities
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | Total2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Wedding and Funerals | 770 | 770 | 150 | ||
| Special collections | 835 | 835 | 830 | ||
| 7710 | 835 | - | 1,605 | 980 |
Of the income from charitable activities in 2024, £150 was unrestricted and £830 was restricted.
- 4 Income from other trading activities
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | Total 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Rent received | 734 | 734 | 1,096 | ||
| Other Income | - | 62 | |||
| Fundraising events | - | - | |||
| 734 | - | - | 734 | 1,158 |
Of the income from other trading activities in 2024, £1,158 was unrestricted.
- 5 Income from investments
| Income from investments | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 | Total 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Dividends received | 5,508 | 851 | 6,359 | 2,433 | |
| Bank interest | 3,747 | 3,747 | 4,464 | ||
| 9,255 | - | 851 | 10,106 | 6,897 |
Of the income from investments in 2024, £6046 was unrestricted, £0 was restricted and £851 endowment.
Page 12
Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financia) Statements for year ended 31st December 2025
| 6 | Analysis ofexpenditure | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | |||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2025 =Total2024 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Raising Funds | ||||||
| Offering envelopes | 87 | - | - | 87 | 87 | |
| 87 | - | - | 87 | 87 | ||
| Charitable Activities | ||||||
| Ministries& Mission /Giving toGrow | 69,250 | 69,250 | 43,541 | |||
| Presbytery Dues | 2,584 | 2,584 | 1,042 | |||
| Other salary costs (includesNIC) | 10,515 | 10,515 | 9,011 | |||
| Fabric repair& maintenance | 8,036 | 8,036 | 4,462 | |||
| Cleaner | 2,711 | 2,711 | 2,549 | |||
| Other building costs | 20,924 | 20,924 | 18,221 | |||
| Church office expenses | 1,939 | 1,939 | 1,824 | |||
| AVEquipment | 931 | 931 | 688 | |||
| Organ and Music | 1,220 | 1,220 | 894 | |||
| Depreciation | 984 | 7,400 | 8,384 | 8,384 | ||
| Otherexpenses | 1,684 | 1,684 | 1,885 | |||
| Minister costs | 1,344 | 1,344 | 969 | |||
| Donations | 85 | 85 | 335 | |||
| Specific donations | 970 | 970 | 882 | |||
| Independent Examiner's fees | 1,032 | 1,032 | 966 | |||
| Badminton Group | - | - | 155 | |||
| NewAbbeyGuild | 1,666 | 1,666 | - | |||
| NewAbbeyWomens Guild | 42 | 42 | - | |||
| After 8's | - | - | 86 | |||
| Maxwelltown West Guild | 1,173 | 1,173 | 1,603 | |||
| Social Group | 78 | 78 | 217 | |||
| Mathia Project | 2,500 | 2,500 | 5,870 | |||
| 123,239 | 13,829 | - | 137,068 | 103,584 |
Of the expenditure on raising funds in 2024, £87 was unrestricted.
Of the expenditure on charitable activities in 2024, £87,371 was unrestricted, £16,213 was restricted. Support & governance costs have not been seperately identified as the trustee's consider there is only one charitable activity. Therefore support costs relate wholly to that activity.
7 Staff costs and numbers
==> picture [336 x 130] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Number of employees
The average number of employees
during the year was: 2025 2024
Number Number
Ministerial support -
Music staff 1 1
Premises maintenance 1 1
2 2
Employment costs 2025 2024
£ £
Wages and salaries (including NIC) 9,815 9,011
----- End of picture text -----
Number of employees received remuneration to more than £60,000 2025 - none (2024 - none).
All Church of Scotland congregations contribute to the National Stipend Fund which bears the cost of all ministers’ stipend and employer's contributions for national insurance, pension and housing loan fund. Minister's stipends are paid in accordance with the national stipend scale, which is related to years of service. For the year under review the minimum stipend was £32,433 and the maximum stipend £39,856.
Page 13
Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements for year ended 31st December 2025
| Landand ~~ Furniture | Landand ~~ Furniture | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Tangiblefixed assets | Buildings | and fittings | Total | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Cost/valuation | ||||||
| At 1stJanuary2025 | 370,000 | 17,006 | 387,006 | |||
| Additions | s | z | - | |||
| At 31stDecember2025 | 370,000 | 17,006 | 387,006 | |||
| Depreciation | ||||||
| At IstJanuary 2025 | 111,000 | 15,162 | 126,162 | |||
| Charge fortheyear | 7,400 | 984 | 8,384 | |||
| 118,400 | 16,146 | 134,546 | ||||
| Net book values | ||||||
| At 31st December 2025 | 251,600 | 860 | 252,460 | |||
| At 31stDecember 2024 | 259,000 | 1,844 | 260,844 | |||
| 9 | Investments | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Market value at | ||||||
| As at 1stJanuary | 192,987 | 179,693 | ||||
| Additions inyear | 183,358 | - | ||||
| Unrealised gain/(loss) on investments | 24,021 | 13,294 | ||||
| As at 31stDecember | 400,366 | 192,987 | ||||
| Investments at cost | 280,697 | 156,589 | ||||
| The following investments are held: | ||||||
| Fidelity Investment Fund | 123,789 | |||||
| 7,653 unitsGrowth Fund Church ofScotland Investors Trust | 242,031 | |||||
| 3033 units Income Fund Church ofScotland Investors Trust | 34,546 | |||||
| 400,366 | ||||||
| 10 | Debtors: all recieveable within oneyear | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Gift Aid Recoverable | - | - | ||||
| 11 | Creditors: amounts falling duewithin oneyear | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Accrued Examiner's fee's | 1,032 | 948 | ||||
| Creditors | 377 | 910 | ||||
| 1,409 | 1,858 | |||||
| 12 | Analysis ofnet assets between funds | |||||
| General | Designated | Restricted | Endowment | 2025 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | 860 | 251,600 | 252,460 | |||
| Investments | 328,146 | $2,652 | 19,568 | 400,366 | ||
| Current assets | 113,752 | 65,283 | 10,391 | 2,916 | 192,342 | |
| Current liabilities | (1,409) | (1,409) | ||||
| 441,349 | 117,935 | 261,991 | 22,484 | 843,759 |
8 Tangible fixed assets
10 Debtors: all recieveable within one year
11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
==> picture [129 x 8] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
12 Analysis of net assets between funds
----- End of picture text -----
Page 14
Maxwelltown West and New Abbey Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements for year ended 31st December 2025
==> picture [387 x 361] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
13 Analysis of charitable funds
Balance
Balance 1.1.25 Income Expenditure Transfers Gains/losses 31.12.25
£ £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General funds 229,799 295,313 (114,594) (5,160) 19,627 424,985
Designated Fabric funds 107,358 15,482 (8,732) 3,827 117,935
Reserve fund 15,668 696 16,364
352,825 311,491 (123,326) (5,160) 23.454 559,284
Restricted funds
Buildings fund 259,000 (7,400) 251,600
Sunday School fund 2,316 50 2,366
Guild fund 1,004 1,223 (1,173) (200) 854
After 8's fund 40 5 45
Badminton Club 162 220 382
Mathia Church Project fund 3,918 2,618 (2,500) 200 4,236
New Abbey Guild Club - 878 (1,666) 1,667 879
New Abbey Womans Guild Club - 163 (42) 465 586
Social Group fund 921 200 (78) 1,043
Special Collections : 835 (970) 135 -
267,361 6,192 (13,829) 2,267 - 261,991
Endowment funds
Bequests fund 18,173 851 2,893 567 22,484
Total funds 638,359 318,534 ( 137,155) - 24,021 843,759
Unrestricted funds Reserve fund: This fund is for unexpected expenses
General fund: This is for the day to day running of the church
Designated
Fabric fund: The trustees have set aside funds for the maintenance of the church property
Restricted funds Bondo Project: Funds to support the orphanage and school at Bondo in Kenya
Guild fund: Fund for running the guild and support for charity projects
After 8's: Fund for running the ladies group
Badminton Club: Fund for running the badminton club
Mathia Project: Funds to support twinning with Mathia church and students
Endowment funds Bequests fund: — Income from this has historically been shared equally between Sunday School and
Congregational Account
14 Trustees Remuneration and Related party transactions
----- End of picture text -----
No trustees or a person related to a trustee had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.
No Trustee expenses were incurred in the year.
During the year a total of £12,540 (2024: £17,485) was donated to the congregation by the Trustees
15 Volunteers
Jn common with all congregations of the Church of Scotland the congregation benefits from the contribution made by volunteers who give their time and talents willingly for the benefit of the Church. The areas of congregational life which rely on the contribution of volunteers are many and varied and much of the activity would be unable to continue were it not for the commitment shown.
16 Union with New Abbey Church
In the current financial year Maxwelltown West Church came together to create a union with New Abbey Church, The transfer of all assets from New Abbey had taken place and is shown as income in note 2 of the financial statements under donations and legacies income.
Page 15